Thursday, October 30, 2008

to be continued...

Stephen slept very well last night. Probably the best he has slept since this whole ordeal began over a week ago. He attributes his great sleep to Jayna staying the night right beside him and holding his hand. He tells us all that he has peace and is not worried at all. Naturally his family has much more anxiety than he does.

At 4:15 the surgery team came in to get Steve prepped for surgery. He is still laughing and cracking jokes as they shave his chest and legs! The nurses are having him perform some kind of scrub on his chest that smells terrible. -- He just looked at me and winked with a dazzling smile. He sure looks relaxed. My heart screams to protect him from this whole ordeal and keep him safe - but they tell me I can't take him home without having this surgery.

to be continued......

10:15 am - Jason said that the family received word that everything is going well with Steve. The surgeon has completed the major portion of the procedure and they are beginning to prepare to close Steve up.

to be continued.....

10:45 am - The surgeon has came out to say surgery is completed. Everything went great and Steve is in recovery. Jayna will be able to see him in about 10-15 minutes.

to be continued.....

11:30 a.m. - Dad's doing great! The surgeon came out rather quickly after the nurse said they were waiting to warm him up and said he was already closed up, everything went great and we could see him in 10-15 minutes. We were thrilled to know that all of us were able to go back and see daddy for a few minutes.

They had just wheeled him into the Intensive Care Unit when we arrived and were still getting him set up to moniters, etc. He really looked great. Everyone had warned me that when I saw him he would look "like death," but I thought his coloring was great, his hands were warm, and he looked really good. We were able to spend a few minutes with him, ask the doctor a few more questions and then we came back out to the waiting area.

Mom has been so strong through this entire process. We have seen very few tears from her. After seeing dad, though, it was like she realized it was over and that dad was going to be okay. The bishop had arrived to visit with us while we were in seeing dad and mom walked right by him with only a wave and went to the bathroom to have a good cry. She just kept saying, "He's gonna be okay!" We were all very relieved and glad that the worst part was over.

They told us that he would be in recovery for about 4 hours, they'd take the breathing tube out and then we could go in 1 or 2 at a time and sit with him. At that point he'll be able to talk, and the doctor even said that he should be up and sitting in a chair by this evening.

Mom has asked that we not have any visitors until after he's out of Critical Care. We'll let you know when that will be...probably not for 2-3 days.

Thank you all for your prayers. We do count this as a miracle. The doctor said that after the surgery (Quadruple bypass that went around all the stents) his heart is already functioning at near normal levels. Incredible! Praise the Lord.

By the way - I did want to share the sweet relationship my parents share as a side story. This morning as they were wheeling dad down for surgery, mom was walking along by his bed. He had been given medicine to put him out and was feeling pretty good until he got out of the elevator. He asked the nurse to stop for a moment and told mom to come to him. He took her hand, asked her to smile at him. Then he closed his eyes with a sigh and said, "The last thing I want to see before surgery is your beautiful face, and the next time I open my eyes, you'll be there, won't you?" He made us all cry, but it is a beautiful testament to the love he shares with my mom.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jayna, I'm not a good one with words, that is Pastor Steve's job but please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family this morning.

With Great Love and Respect,
The Lovegrove's

Anonymous said...

Hi Jayna,
I was up early praying for you, Steve and everyone. This blog is great. I feel connected to what is happening with you all. Jay never gets on the computer anymore but I asked him read the blog and he did. He enjoyed reading it. He said Steve is is not just an F.O.B he is a S.O.G (son of God) or a C.O.G. (child of God). The guy still comes up with some good ones. My heart will be with you all day. Love to all,
Jill

Anonymous said...

Jayna,

My family has been praying very hard for you, Steve and your family. We have been keeping up with Steve's progress on the blog everyday. We just know that Steve will make a speedy recovery and will be back home in no time. But for now we will be thrilled with just the baby steps and taking it one day at a time. We will be thinking of you all day and will continue to pray.
Love to you all,
The Parrish Family

R Roberts said...

Just want you to know that I'm here praying, watching the blog, and waiting for the good news that surgery is completed and that all is well. I know that you have lots of loved ones at the hospital with you, but know that if I could be, I would be there, too.

Lots of Love,
Renee

Anonymous said...

Jayna,

We've been sending up prayers for you and Steve all morning. I'll keep checking the blog today...waiting to hear more about the wonders of our miraculous, healing God. Steve has wonderful doctors, is at great hospital, and his heart is truly in the best of hands...God's!
Much love to you and your family,
The Kellys

Anonymous said...

Jayna,

Reading the blog everyday is inspiring to Scott and I. It inspires us when we read about the love that you and Steve share for one another and the love that you two share for God. Our prayers will continue throughout the day and especially during his recovery.

Love,
Adriene, Scott, Emily and Gretchen

Anonymous said...

Jayna,

How wonderful to hear that all is going well with Steve's surgery. You have both been in our prayers since early morning. May good care and God's care find Steve healing quickly and completely.

Love,
Karen Fell

Unknown said...

Jayna, Pastor Steve and family,

We are relieved to read that the surgery went so well. You can all rest now! God is so good!

We are praying for a smooth recovery and return to Kokomo for you.
Lots of love and prayers,

Karin, Rob, Chris and Anna Pinto

Wes Heeter said...

You're making me get teary-eyed sitting here at work reading this, both now with the latest update, and with some earlier ones, as well. I can't imagine how weepy my Dad might be. :)

I'm glad to hear the great updates. Praise God! We love you all.

Wes

Anonymous said...

PRAISE GOD. PRAISE GOD. PRAISE GOD. Thank you so much for the quick updates.

Love,
Darlene

Anonymous said...

Jayna & family,
Thank you so much for the numerous updates through the surgery. We all were anxiously awaiting the next posting and you kept us up to date. Praise God for His miraculous touch on Steve. We will continue to keep you all in our prayers. We send our love to each of you.

Greg & Kathy

Anonymous said...

We are also Praising and Praying.
God is So Good!
Bill & Linda

Anonymous said...

Steve,

Clearly strength of faith and character matched strength of body.

Glad to hear you are healing...

Jeff, Stacey and Alyssa

Anonymous said...

I agree your blog brings tears as we read the wonderful news that Steve went through the surgery just fine. We all knew who the Great Physician was, didn't we. I will continue to pray for great days ahead.
Betsy Brotherton NHUMC

Anonymous said...

Jayna,

This blog has been a blessing. Thank you so much!

We are so pleased to see how well Steve is doing. Please let him know we are all praying for him and for you!

Paul, Karen, Melissa, Leanna, and Angie